Innovative ideas for Audacious students

The Audacious Business Challenge (ABC) recently announced its Top 40 Ideas winners including four Bay of Plenty Polytechnic students.

The ABC provides a structure for students who want to start their own businesses – inspiration, community, advice and funding. The Top 40 ideas will receive a share of $10,000 to get the ball rolling on their start-ups.  Up to $40,000 in cash and services is up for grabs at the prize-giving in September.

The Polytechnic fashion students included Eliza (Lulu) Jackson and Chelsea Murray in a collaborative project – the Creative Mess Desk, Natalie Gage with her ‘Cup Stain’ and Adrianna Wilson with an innovative project to convert high-heeled shoes to ‘stylish flat shoes.’

Lulu and Chelsea hit upon their idea after needing to find a solution to alleviate the problem of creating a creative zone in a dual space (such as a living room) then having to clear it away again – only to pull it all out again the next day. Their Creative Mess Desk is designed by creatives for creatives.

Natalie Gage introduced her business idea, Cup Stain, after an unfortunate run in with a hot beverage.

“I bought a hot coffee while on the go and took a sip without checking the temperature and burnt my tongue,” said Natalie. “It gave me such a fright I spilt the coffee on myself and it made a stain – that’s where my name idea game from.”

Natalie’s invention is a ‘stain’ on small label attached to a beverage that will change to reveal a ‘drink me’ logo when the beverage reaches a suitable drinking temperature.

Now through into the second round of the competition, the four fashion students have to create detailed business plans and present them to competition judges in a setting similar to TV show ‘Dragon’s Den’.

It’s an exciting and busy time for the third year Bachelor of Design (Fashion) students who are also immersed in study as well as designing their end of year collections.